Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

1 34 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTvas cover prevents too rapid evaporation, and keepsthe canteen from wetting one's clothing. At nightor in case of illness, the thing can be used as ahot-water bottle, the insulation keeping the waterhot for a considerable time. The best pattern is thepresent regulation army canteen, which is shaped likea fiat flask, but with one side rounded a little andthe other concaved to fit the body. It has a flatbottom, so you can stand it up. The aluminumscrew-cap, held by a chain, cannot jolt out like thecorks of common canteens.To cleanse the vessel, boil it. To sterilize suspectedwater, fill the naked canteen and place itunstoppered, on the fire till the water boils. Thearmy model holds one quart, and weighs ii ouncesIt can be bought from some outfitters, either withor without an aluminum cup that fits over thebottom. It is rigged to carry on the belt, whereIt will not flop nor pound the wearer. To drawIt from Its cover, turn two little thumb-screw fastenershalf a turn, and you can whisk it out almostas easily as you would a pistol.Aluminum is not fit to carry liquor in; but, forthat matter, neither is tin. One of my old partnersand I, on a voyage to the Arkansas swamps, oncehit upon what we conceived to be a brilliant schemetor transporting a gallon of whiskey inconspicuouslyin our John-boat. (You know whiskey warms thehearts of otherwise disobliging natives— yes indeedy).We got a new kerosene can, had a tinnerremove the spout and solder a patch of tin over ifthen in went Old Taylor. We didn't open that cantor a week (hadn't seen any natives) . Then alongcame the dickens of a cold rain, and, when it ceased,we declared an 'emergency." Well, what do youthink.'' I hat whiskey had turned as black as ink.l^Gtztausend hirnmel donnerwetter! or words to thatetlectIf anybody doubts that we didn't open thatstuff for a week, I refer him to S. D. Barnes, captainof said John-boat, of which I was crewIn mountaineering ft often happens that one plans